Art From the Heartland 2026

The Indy Art Center is calling for entries for artists in any medium 18 or older living in the Midwest for a Juried Exhibition. Cash awards total $4,000.00. 

This exhibition seeks to highlight the richness found in contemporary Midwest makers and the wide variety of techniques, styles, and aesthetics of the region. The intention of this exhibition is to feature works in a variety of media ranging from traditional processes to contemporary and new media processes.

Two Curator’s Choice Award winners will be awarded a Solo Show each at the Indy Art Center.  

The guest juror for the 2026 exhibition will be Kolt Lucius Sizer, Curator of Education and Public Programming at the South Bend Museum of Art. 

The Indy Art Center is calling for entries for artists in any medium 18 or older living in the Midwest for a Juried Exhibition. Cash awards total $4,000.00. 

This exhibition seeks to highlight the richness found in contemporary Midwest makers and the wide variety of techniques, styles, and aesthetics of the region. The intention of this exhibition is to feature works in a variety of media ranging from traditional processes to contemporary and new media processes.

Two Curator’s Choice Award winners will be awarded a Solo Show each at the Indianapolis Art Center.  

About the Juror:

Kolt Lucius Sizer is an artist, curator, and fine arts professor based in South Bend, Indiana. He earned his MFA in Drawing and Painting from Bowling Green State University in 2022 and currently serves as the Curator of Education and Public Programming at the South Bend Museum of Art. Kolt has also held teaching positions at Indiana University South Bend and the University of Notre Dame. His work explores reality as an ideological construct shaped by memory and perception, often grounded in personal experiences and his ties to the funeral industry.

Eligibility:

-This exhibit is open to all artists over the age of 18 residing in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, Iowa, or Missouri.

-Work must be made within the last two years and cannot have been previously shown at the Art Center.

-All work must be original and made by the artist or artist team. Collaborative works made between artists are eligible for inclusion.

Media:

-All media eligible. Installation artists should contact us before applying to ensure compatibility of space.

-2D artwork must not weigh more than 250 pounds or be bigger than 10’ x 10’.

Awards:

Chosen by the juror:

Best in Show - $1,500.00

Best in 2D (includes video) - $500.00

Best in 3D (includes installation) - $500.00

Five Honorable Mention Awards - $200.00 each

Chosen by the Indianapolis Art Center’s Exhibitions team:

Two Curator's Choice Awards – $250 and a Solo Exhibition Each

Awards will be announced at the Opening Reception.

Calendar of Events:
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 3rd, 2026

ARTWORK JURY: May 4th-5th, 2026

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATIONS: EOD Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

ARTWORK DROP OFF: May 5 – June 1st, 2026

ARTWORK INSTALLATION: June 1st – June 21st, 2026

EXHIBITION OPENS: June 22nd, 2026

EXHIBITION RECEPTION: Thursday, June 25th 5-8pm

EXHIBITION CLOSES: September 13th, 2026

ARTWORK PICK UP: September 14th – September 20th, 2026

Entry Fee/Images:
$35 non-refundable entry fee for the submission of two pieces. $5 additional for each submission up to 6 pieces. Each artist or artist team may submit up to six pieces of work for jurying.

Eligibility:

-This exhibit is open to all artists over the age of 18 residing in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, Iowa, or Missouri.

-Work must be made within the last two years and cannot have been previously shown at the Art Center.

-All work must be original and made by the artist or artist team. Collaborative works made between artists are eligible for inclusion.